Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
2018-2019
Impact Report
pPB
Tableof
Contents
INTRODUCTION5 - Introduction and Letter from the President 6 - By the Numbers
PROGRESS9 - Timeline10 - Strategic Plan12 - Carbon Neutral Campuses16 - Highlights17 - Snapshots18 - Resilience Commitment19 - Resilience Snapshots
NETWORK PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS24 - Marks of Distinction 26 - Climate Leadership Awards
REACH30 - University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) 2019 Highlights 32 - Global Climate Action Summit33 - Educational Reach 34 - Externally Funded Research and Programs35 - Private Sector Partnerships
INFLUENCE37 - Policy Initiatives and State 38 - Global Engagement 40 - Global Phasedown of Harmful HFCs41 - 2019 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit
ACCELERANT43 - Network Management44 - Working Groups45 - Carbon Offsets46 - Exclusive to Signatories - Renewable Energy Resources47 - Easily Accessible Climate Action Plans and We Are Here to Help
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE49 - Second Nature Team 50 - Finance
p3p2
Introduction and Letter from the President
Introduction
Acceleration. It’s thrilling when you start down the hill of the roller coaster and terrifying when the brakes go out on your bicycle. Acceleration is determined by the laws of physics. Once you start moving, changes in speed in a matter of time determine your outcome.
For the past decade, Second Nature, higher education institutions, and our partners have been moving toward a set of shared climate goals; commitments to action that establish clearly defined steps along the way. These steps have been a necessary move towards the goal, but not sufficient. As we learn more about the solution pathways, the distance in front of us can feel intimidating. But that distance is fixed...we know where we need to go. We now need to change the time it takes to cover that ground. This is our acceleration.
Second Nature’s mission is to serve as an accelerant for the networks we manage and for the higher education sector that we serve. Our programs, communications, events, technical resources, and data systems all strive to use an accelerant lens as the filter for where we focus our effort. Our past year has examples of this function, illustrated in this report. From developing resources for on the ground implementation, to participation in global calls to action, our past year has demonstrated that having Second Nature act as an accelerant is a critical component for helping colleges and universities, the sector, and our partners achieve their successes.
Let’s get caught up in the thrill of acceleration and do everything we can to extend this energy into the year ahead. Thank you for your support.
Dr. Timothy Carter, President of Second Nature
p5p4
437College and University
Campuses active in the Climate
Leadership Network (CLN)
BY THENUMBERS
21College and
University Campuses in the University Climate
Change Coalition (UC3)
325Attended the 2019 Higher Education Climate
Leadership Summit
Diverse Industries Participating in Our Workshops and/or Webinars
Colleges and Universities
Government
Commercial
Other Organizations
tons of CO2
eliminated
8.6M
8.5million
MTCO2e
Total Emissions Reductions from CLN institutions
Diversity
4.5 million Full-Time Students at Active Signatories
$129B I LLI O N
Value of Endowment at Active Signatories
Total Expenses/ Operating Budgets
B I LLI O N
$194
Second Nature Signatories
of Full Time students
(FTEs)
248 (College of
Menominee Nation)
57,861(The Ohio State University
- Columbus Campus)
p7p6
Progress
Since 2006, Second Nature’s focus has been on addressing the largest environmental challenge that civilization has faced: Global Climate Change.
The beginning of climate action commitments through higher education
leadership to combat climate change.
Design of Second Nature’s continued evolution of support for higher education institutions’ climate action. This year - 2019 - Second Nature developed its
2019-2022 Strategic Plan to continue to do so.
2006 - 2015
GENESISOF CLIMATE LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER ED
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2015 - 2019
EVOLUTIONOF CLIMATE ACTION IN SCOPE AND PRACTICE
2016 2017 2018 20192015
2006Launch year of the Presidents’
Climate Leadership Commitments
p9p8
Second Nature’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan focuses on the
imperative for exponential growth in climate progress to
work towards 50% decarbonization in the US economy
by 2030 based on advice from the best available science.
This three year plan focuses on supporting network (the
Climate Leadership Network) performance and cross-
sector activity with the core of our strategy centered
around the expansion of valued climate services.
As Second Nature continues to accelerate our work of
activating more schools to become climate leaders, and
driving climate action with other sectors, the Climate
Leadership Network Signatories, are also continuing
to accelerate their own climate action. Most signatory
institutions have made commitments to becoming
carbon neutral by 2030 or by 2050. Almost all in the
Network have created ambitious climate action plans and
are already accelerating their climate action work to meet
their carbon neutral goals. Some schools have already
become carbon neutral.
SECOND NATURE’S 2019-2022 STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic P
lan
20
19-2
02
2
Second Nature’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan focuses on the
imperative for exponential growth in climate progress to work
towards 50% decarbonization in the US economy by 2030.50%
p11p10
Becoming carbon neutral is no easy feat. It requires
systemic changes, including becoming extremely
energy efficient, reducing all waste, adopting
renewable energy, and so much more. These changes
just for one person, or one family can be daunting
but especially challenging given the complexity of
an entire college or university campus. Changing
campus leadership priorities and funding shortages
remain constant challenges to progress. In spite of
this, the campuses in the Climate Leadership Network
continue to lead the way for their peers and other
sectors. We are proud of the Network’s perseverance
and especially pleased with the achievements of the
institutions that have become carbon neutral.
CARBON NEUTRAL CAMPUSES
Colgate University and the University of
San Francisco join their colleagues at
American University (DC), Bowdoin College (ME), Colby College (ME), and Middlebury College (VT) in fulfilling their ambitious carbon neutrality goals. We celebrate the achievements of these CLN members and theirleadership in the higher
education community.
p13p12
On Earth Day 2019, Colgate University
became the fifth higher ed institution
in the US to announce their carbon
neutrality achievement. Colgate has led
an innovative offset program for years
taking students down to Patagonia /
Chile to help with reforestation. “By
using strategies including better forest
management, a community garden, a
geothermal heating system, a biomass
boiler and a solar array, the university
has cut its directly produced emissions
by 46% in 10 years.” Colgate supports
multiple carbon offset projects that meet
a variety of Sustainable Development
Goals.
Sources: www.uticaod.com/news/20190422/colgate-reaches-goal-to-achieve-carbon-neutrality
www.colgate.edu/news/stories/colgate-achieves-carbon-neutrality
The University of San Francisco (USF)
reached their carbon neutral goal on
the same week (Earth Week). In an
inspirational case of overachievement,
USF accomplished carbon neutrality 30
years ahead of schedule. Additionally,
USF achieved this, while their campus
population was continuing to increase
(28 percent increase since 2005). “An
early champion of renewable energy,
USF first installed solar thermal hot water
systems in 1981 and added solar panels
in the early 2000s. USF also installed
in 1987 cogeneration technology that
meets approximately 40 percent of USF’s
main campus electrical and heating
needs while saving significant money
and reducing carbon emissions.”
Over just ten years,
Colgate University
reduced their carbon emissions
on campus
by 46%.
University of San Francisco
became carbon neutral
30YEARS ahead of their goal to do so.
Source: www.usfca.edu/news/carbon-zero-global-hero
p15p14
of Accelerated Progress Towards Carbon Neutrality Goals
HIGHLIGHTS
3Schools Signed
NEW
Carbon Commitments
this year
1School Signed a
NEW
Resilience Commitment
this year
4Schools Signed
NEW
Climate Commitments
this year
Of all of these 8 schools, 4 are new signatories
4
Schools Submitted
NEW
Climate Action Plans
this year
13
SNAPSHOTS
Virginia Wesleyan University released
its latest Climate Action Plan, which
moves their carbon neutrality date
up ten years, from 2050 to 2040,
while also detailing plans to reduce
emissions. Their plan breaks down
the university’s emissions by their
source and then list their mitigation
strategies. These strategies include
those on an infrastructural level, such as
building LEED certified buildings, installing LED
bulbs and solar panels, and improving temperature
controls and the HVAC system. They also include
more cultural changes, such as adding more
sustainability-focused lessons to the
curriculum and banning the use of
polystyrene foam. Other important
strategies mentioned in the CAP
include the reduction of paper
fliers and idling, greater community
outreach, and conducting campus
resilience workshops in 2017 and 2018.
Source: https://twitter.com/LeadOnClimate/
status/1141714914224091138
California State University, Long Beach is the
recipient of an honorable mention for
the 2018 Higher Education Climate
Leadership awards. The Higher
Education Climate Leadership Awards
recognize extraordinary climate
action pursued by colleges and
universities that participate in Second
Nature’s Climate Commitments. This
leadership includes exceptional action in
climate change mitigation and resilience. The
awards highlight these remarkable institutions both as
an inspiration to other colleges and universities and
as a promotion of innovative climate solutions made
possible through higher education. Second Nature
and the U.S. Green Building Council, who bestow the
awards, selected the six honorable mentions
based on demonstrated excellence
and progress within the individual
focus areas of climate innovation,
cross-sector collaboration, and
student preparedness. California
State University, Long Beach was
recognized for significant progress
in the field of student preparedness,
alongside Truckee Meadows Community
College. The awards were presented at the
2019 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit in
Tempe, Arizona in February.
Source: https://secondnature.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-
Climate-Leadership-Awards-Press-Release.pdf
p17p16
RESILIENCE COMMITMENT RESILIENCE SNAPSHOTS
50
schools completed a
Resilience Assessment
schools added
resilience goals
to their
Climate Action
Plans
12
schools have
been trained in
how to facilitate
a Community
Resilience
Building
workshop
20
Black Hills State University,
Spearfish, SD
Black Hills State University signed the Climate
Commitment in 2019 and has already convened a
Resiliency Task Force with the city of Spearfish, SD,
which includes over 20 representatives from the
university, the city, and local businesses. The Task
Force completed a draft Resiliency Plan outlining
strengths, vulnerabilities, and priorities for the
city and campus to jointly build resilience.
CAP Report
p19p18
SNAPSHOTSHumboldt
State University, Arcata, CA
Last spring, Humboldt State University organized and
hosted a Building Community Resilience workshop,
inviting participants from the university, the CSU
Chancellor’s Office, local governments, and local NGOs.
Participants identified the climate hazards of greatest
concern to be sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather
events, and wildfire. They then prioritized actions
to strengthen local and regional resilience to
these hazards.
CAP Report
California State University
Los Angeles
In 2019 California State University Los Angeles
updated their Climate Action Plan and included strategic
adaptation priorities to be completed by 2040. Climate
hazards impacting the university include extreme heat
events, wildfires and reduced air quality, drought, and
heavier storms. Cal State LA is collaborating with the
City of Los Angeles through a campus resilience
advisory group to advance physical resilience and
social cohesion in the city.
Updated Plan
CAP Report
Truckee Meadows Community College,
Reno, NV
In 2019 Truckee Meadows Community College
completed a Climate Action Plan for the campus. The
college set goals to build resilience through ecosystem
management, energy efficiency, supporting diversity,
equity, and inclusion, and increased climate awareness.
Truckee Meadows Community College also helped
create the City of Reno’s first ever Sustainability
and Climate Action Plan.
CAP Report
p21p20
NETWORK PERFORMANCE
ANALYSIS
ClimateLeadership
Awards
p23p22
NETWORK PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Marks of Distinction is an initiative for the Climate Leadership Network that recognizes signatories that set high-performance goals, demonstrate and report measurable progress towards those goals, and support Network activities.
Renewable Energy Purchased
14 - cover 100% of electricity consumption with renewable energy
3 - cover at least 75%
8 - cover at least 50%
14 - cover at least 25%
48 - purchase up to 24% of electricity from renewable sources
Carbon Reduction
6 - have reduced 100%
2 - have reduced 75%
11 - have reduced 50%
48 - have reduced 25%
p25p24
CLIMATE LEADERSHIPAWARDS
Climate Innovation:Ohio University
Student Preparedness:California State University Long Beach
Cross-Sector Collaboration:Millersville University
Climate Innovation:Alamo Colleges District
Student Preparedness:Truckee Meadows Community College
Cross-Sector Collaboration:Colorado Mountain College
Both winning institutions implemented a campus as a living lab approach for sustainability practices, which includes applying energy efficiency practices in campus infrastructure and advancing research in renewable energy models. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s use of power purchase agreements reduces more than 17,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, while Delta College’s implementation of an Energy Optimization Incentive Program in collaboration with its utility provider maximizes conservation and savings.
Both winners also excelled at forging innovative partnerships by engaging with their local businesses, governments and communities to drive climate action. Delta College began a community partnership, known as “Common Good,” to host climate-adaptation and resilience learning sessions and launched a sustainability-immersive study abroad program through international partnerships with programs in Ireland, Costa Rica and France. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign convened local government leaders to set up a task force that will address climate resilience concerns, and enhances classroom learning through a sustainability mentorship program that connects students with projects that enhance resilience and reduce environmental impacts.
University of Illinois
4 Year Winner
Delta College
2 Year Winner
2 Year
Honorable Mention
4 Year
Honorable Mention
The 9th Annual Climate Leadership Awards recognized innovative and advanced leadership in climate change mitigation and resilience at colleges and universities that are active in Second Nature’s climate commitments. This year’s winners exemplified leadership through practices, partnerships, and initiatives designed to tackle the most complex climatic challenges of the 21st century.
To further recognize signatory campuses at different stages of their climate commitment trajectory, Second Nature and the US Green Building Council awarded honorable mentions based on demonstrated excellence and progress within the individual focus areas of climate innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and student preparedness.
p27p26
Reach
The Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments provide frameworks and opportunities for colleges and universities to expand their climate action beyond their own campuses and into their communities. Many schools have and continue to do just that through partnership and collaboration with their communities, to better prepare for an uncertain future. Second Nature has provided, and continues to support colleges and universities community resilience building and cross-sector collaboration, through numerous initiatives, coalitions, and resources.
p29p28
• Expanded to 21 R1 universities that encompasses new geographic regions in the US &
Canada
• New additions: Queen’s University, University of Utah, University of Michigan
Tools and Resources
• Research for Policy Platform - Guided by the principles of collective action, conducting
solution-oriented research, and implementing place-based climate action strategies,
UC3 adopted the Research for Policy Platform, which supports higher education leaders
in local, national, and international 1.5 degree-aligned climate policy engagement.
• Vancouver Summit - In July, the UC3 Vancouver Summit brought together the
leaders of top research universities, philanthropists, environment ministers, and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss higher
education’s role in climate action in raising the
ambition to keep global temperature rises
to well under 2ºC.
Photograph from Vancouver Summit, July 2019
UC3 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
p31p30
Held in San Francisco in September 2018, the Global Climate
Action Summit (GCAS) brought people from around the world
to celebrate the extraordinary climate action achievements of
states, cities, companies, colleges and universities, and citizens.
It was also launchpad for deeper worldwide commitments
and accelerated action from countries to put the world on
track to prevent dangerous climate change. Second Nature
staff participated and presented on the progress of the UC3
coalition, higher education engagement on carbon pricing
with former Secretary of State John Kerry, and strategies for
achieving carbon neutrality. We were pleased to represent the
Climate Leadership Network on the global stage.
GLOBAL CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT
EDUCATIONAL REACH
Second Nature had the opportunity to represent our sector at numerous forums,
conferences, and workshops this year. Participation in these activities provides us with
an opportunity to learn, network, and inform others about the work that the higher
education sector is doing to combat climate change.
Some of these events we participated in this year include:
• Ceres Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA
• Alliance to Save Energy’s EE Global Forum, Washington, DC
• Center for Climate and Energy Solutions’ Climate Leadership Forum, Baltimore, MD
• National Council on Science & Environment Conference, Washington, DC
• Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, Orlando, FL
• AASHE, Pittsburgh, PA
p33p32
Second Nature continues to partner with select companies and firms in an effort to connect
these entities with colleges and universities to then work in collaboration towards shared
carbon neutral goals. The collaborative work and networking between these partners and
higher education institutions is accomplished through workshops and webinars. Second
Nature appreciates the expertise of our partners, and we realize the importance of our private
sector friends to accelerate climate action.
2018-2019 Strategic Partners
2018-2019 Resource Partners
EXTERNALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND PROGRAMS
PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS
New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Second Nature received a $49,200 award for Fiscal Year
2019-2020, from the New York State Energy Research &
Development Authority (NYSERDA). The award allows Second
Nature to conduct research that will improve college and
university procurement of new, innovative cleantech products
and services.
Ray C. Anderson FoundationSecond Nature secured a $90,000 NextGen Award from the
Ray C. Anderson Foundation. The award was used to hire two
fellows to develop renewable energy resources and facilitate
the adoption of large-scale renewable energy by colleges and
universities.
Bloomberg PhilanthropiesSecond Nature’s cross-sector climate action work has
progressed from nascent concepts to fully functioning
programs and partnerships thanks largely to Bloomberg
Philanthropies financial and strategic support. Our work took
place in two main domains: leading college and university
engagement in place-based, cross-sector climate activities
(UC3), and serving as higher education’s connector for cross-
sector subnational climate action narratives.
p35p34
Influence
Second Nature and the Climate Leadership Network engage with national and state policy issues and contribute to climate action conversations on the global stage. Our non-partisan Network supports policy and legislation on issues and initiatives that support campus’ climate action goals. Drawing together our Network on key issues magnifies our impact for the future.
Policy InitiativesSecond Nature led a number of policy initiatives with partners including Ceres and the United Nation’s Higher Education Sustainability Initiative to accelerate climate action in the United States and abroad.
StateWhile federal action on climate has been elusive, progress on climate action at the state level has been growing. For example, with Second Nature’s facilitation, campus leaders in Ohio at Denison University, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, and the College of Wooster, sent a letter to Governor DeWine urging him to prioritize clean energy opportunities for the state. They stated, “As major energy consumers and large employers with significant interest in the economic health of our communities and students, we understand firsthand how important it is for Ohio to build a thriving clean energy economy.”
p37p36
Climate Emergency DeclarationFor the first time, organizations representing more than 6,000 higher education
institutions on all seven continents, including signatories College of Saint Benedict and
Southern Connecticut State University, announced that they are declaring a climate
emergency and supporting a three-point plan to address the crisis. Second Nature
helped design and lead this announcement worked directly with UN’s Higher Education
Sustainability Initiative, and the EAUC, representing the United Kingdom and Ireland, to
garner support for this global declaration.
GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT
Higher Ed
Continents
6,000
All 7
Institutions
p39p38
Together with Ceres, Second Nature produced a letter of support
for the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which sets the
stage for the global phase down of a “super-pollutant” greenhouse
gas, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This action would produce the top
solution to global warming according to Project Drawdown and we
were thrilled to lend our support.
GLOBAL PHASEDOWN OF HARMFUL HFCS
Presidents and Chancellors representing more than 50 campuses
gathered in Tempe, AZ at the third annual Summit hosted by Second
Nature and the Intentional Endowments Network. At the Summit,
higher education leaders announced a Call to Action for accelerating
equitable and just climate solutions in response to the urgent
scientific reports on climate.
2019 HIGHER EDUCATION CLIMATE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
p41p40
ACCELERANT
How does Second Nature serve as an accelerant for climate action with the higher education
sector? This foundational question drives our resources, programs, and services to colleges and
universities.
NETWORK MANAGEMENT
Second Nature mobilizes, collaborates with, supports and provides resources
to higher education institutions in their commitments to carbon neutrality
and resilience. Our small and nimble organization does this in a variety of
proactive and responsive ways, from publishing resources, faciliating working
groups, analzying data to better inform campuses climate action plans and
proving on call support for signatory institutions.
Office Hours
WorkingGroups
Network Management Climate
Action Plans
Renewable EnergyResources
p43p42
Commuting and Biogenic EmissionsSecond Nature, in collaboration with
the University of New Hampshire SIMAP
(Sustainability Indicator Management
and Analysis Platform) team, supported two working groups comprised of 30+
sustainability officers and higher-ed emissions experts. These groups focused
on improving methodologies to accurately calculate biogenic and commuting
emissions. The results from the commuting working group were presented at
AASHE’s 2019 Conference in the session “Getting There from Here: Improving Data
Collection and Reporting Related to Commuting Impacts.” The biogenic working
group seeks to share guiding principles on utilizing this strategy and recommend a
method for keeping track of campus land assets and how they impact an institutions
greenhouse gas inventory.
Resilience Planning Working GroupSecond Nature continues to facilitate a resilience planning working group
comprised of 20+ sustainability officers from colleges and universities focusing on
building climate resilience with their communities. During the past year the group
developed new tools and methodologies to strengthen resilience and adaptation,
including actionable strategies to build resilience and indicators to assess and track
progress.
Second Nature, in collaboration with Duke University, is leading
the Offset Network and facilitating a Peer Review Committee
of 10+ representatives from higher-ed institutions and experts
in carbon offsets. The Peer Review Committee recently
completed a new protocol review process, by which colleges
and universities can develop innovative
new carbon offset project types
and benefit from review by
academic experts.
WORKING GROUPS CARBON OFFSETS
p45p44
We made hundreds of campus climate action plans available in one place.
Using information collected from the Reporting Platform, we created a sortable
document to enable signatory campuses to easily find climate action plans from
peer institutions. This living document will be updated regularly and is only available
to signatories.
Second Nature developed a complete set of ten renewable energy resources that
were exclusively available only to institutions in the Climate Leadership Network.
The publications included guidance for institutions exploring large-scale renewable
energy procurement and assists in moving aggregation projects from the interest
stage to the advisor RFP signing stage.
Primers:Introduction to Renewable Energy Policy Research
Understanding Your Electric Bill
Electricity Prices and Why They Matter
Sizing Renewable Energy Solutions: Capacity vs. Energy
A Brief Literature Review on Internal and Aggregation Leadership
Worksheets and Templates Available for Download:Understanding Your Load Profile
Sample Large-Scale Renewable Economics Model
Renewable Energy Advisor Proposal Evaluation Rubric
(Virtual) Power Purchase Agreement Summary Term Sheet
Template Aggregation Request for Proposal
Exclusive to Signatories - Easily Accessible
Primer | Understanding Your Electric Bill - May 2019 p1
Primer | Understanding Your Electric Bill
One of the key exercises that should occur long before contracting for renewable energy solutions occurs is a thorough review and understanding of baseline electricity bills. Electric bills, of course, determine how much your institution is paying for the electricity purchases. However, a more focused review is required to understand the drivers of your electric bill. Specifically, each line item on your electric bill may vary with electricity usage (kilowatt-hours), vary with peak power demand (kilowatts), or remain constant as a flat fee. Use the following guidance alongside the sample electric bill in the appendix of this document to become familiar with the logic of utility bills. Then, apply what you learn to understanding your own bills.
INTRODUCTION
A thorough understanding of your electric bill will help you tie your institution’s behavior to its electricity expenses, as well as provide baseline understand of how various renewable energy solutions may
lower electric bill costs and potentially lower total electricity expenses.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
HOW BILLS ARE STRUCTURED
Most electric bills will divide line-item charges into a few distinct categories based on the various stages of the electricity supply chain. The sample bill in the appendix divides charges into delivery, supply, and tax categories. The delivery category reflects the transmission and distribution portion of the supply chain, or in other words, the services that are required to move electricity from generation sources to your
institution. The supply category reflects the purchase of electricity from these generation sources, which may be owned by the utility or a different company. The tax category, of course, reflects the tax charges that are likely determined by state regulators. Though your electric bill might not be subdivided exactly in this same way, you should be able to identify similar pieces of the supply chain.
Primer | Electricity Prices and Why They Matter - Feb. 12, 2019 p1
Primer | Electricity Prices and Why They Matter
When pursuing a large-scale renewable energy procurement effort, understanding the price trends of both wholesale electricity and power purchase agreements (PPAs) is crucial. In the context of a physical or virtual PPA, wholesale electricity trends will inform your expectation of future revenues from the contractual arrangement. Similarly, having an idea about PPA price trends will help you contextualize the competitiveness of bids submitted by developers. This primer is intended to help you understand these trends so you can focus your efforts on the projects that are the best fit for your organization
Together, wholesale and PPA prices determine the economic proposition of a project. When a PPA is signed, the offtaker agrees to buy a set amount of electricity at the PPA rate in dollars per MWh, which defined by the bid that a project developer submits. For a given PPA, the developer may offer a flat PPA rate or a rate that increases annually at a rate typically no larger than 2%. This PPA price, multiplied by the volume of electricity that will be purchased, represents the primary cost stream of any PPA agreement. Since PPA prices are contractually defined, they are easy to predict.
HOW DO PPA PRICES IMPACT LARGE-SCALE RENEWABLES DEALS?
INTRODUCTION
W hether considering renewable energy or brown power procurement initiatives, electricity prices and their trends will define the expected economics of your decision. This primer provides an introductory
explanation of PPA and wholesale electricity prices, their historical trends, and high-level heuristics for making forecasts.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Primer | Introduction to Renewable Energy Policy Research p1
Primer | Introduction to Renewable Energy Policy Research
The first element of electricity policy that should be understood is whether your organization is located in a regulated or “deregulated” electricity market. The traditional structure of electricity markets in the US entails a regulated monopoly utility that is responsible for everything from generating electricity to making sure electrons are delivered to where they are needed. By comparison, “deregulated” markets are still significantly regulated but opened to wholesale and retail electricity competition. As a result, the breadth
of applicable renewable energy solutions tends to be greater in “deregulated” markets. It is worth noting that some form of virtual or financial power purchase agreements should be legal in all jurisdictions since, as the name suggests, they are financial contracts. For a closer look at electricity market structures, especially as they apply to your organization, additional information can be found on the websites of renewable energy advisor and Second Nature partner CustomerFirst Renewables and the EPA.
REGULATED VS. “DEREGULATED” MARKETS
R enewable energy policies are highly variable from state to state and even across utility zones. Determining which renewable energy solutions are applicable to your institution can be exasperating. However, this
primer will direct your organization towards a few key resources that should help you form an initial view of the policy landscape. Be sure to verify that the policy information you read is up to date, as electricity market policies are changing all the time.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Second Nature introduced “Office Hours” every Thursday 3-5pm ET for one-on-one
support for campus signatories of the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments.
Anyone at a signatory campus may ask for assistance with topics ranging from
carbon offsets and pricing to cross-sector work with UC3 to GHG inventories.
RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES CLIMATE ACTION PLANS
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
p47p46
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Tim CarterPresident
Karen WheelerDirector of Finance and Administration
Michele MadiaDirector of Programs and Communications
Eric HowardDirector of Strategic
Partnerships
Steve MuzzySenior Manager,
Climate Programs
Ruby WoodsideInnovative Services
Manager
Gina StovallCross-Sector Climate
Action Manager
Devin SmithOperations Manager
Andy DeMeoClimate Programs
Data Manager
Amanda BellesCommunications and
Marketing Manager
p49p48
FINANCIALS
EXPENSES
Program Development
$1,490,007 (84%)
Management / General
$219,798 (12%)
Fundraising
$62,087 (4%)
$1,771,181
REVENUE
Grants / Contributions
$390,080 (22%)
Other Income
$16,286 (1%)
Conference Revenue
$ 282,704 (16%)
$1,738,268
Signatory Dues
$1,049,198 (60%)
Major Donors and Supporters ($25,000+)
• Christine Nelson
• CustomerFirst Renewables
• ENGIE
• Greenbacker Renewable Energy
• McKinstry
• New York State Energy Research & Development Authority
• Ray C. Anderson Foundation
• Siemens
• Bloomberg Philanthropies
p51p50
PHOTO CREDITS
p1 - Licensed from Adobe Stock
p12 - Photo by Ryan Jacobson on Unsplash
p14 - Photo by Jared Erondu on Unsplash
p19 - Licensed from Adobe Stock
p20 - Photo by Sterling Davis on Unsplash
p21 - Photos by Second Nature
p23 - Licensed from Adobe Stock
p25 - Licensed from Adobe Stock
p30 - Photo by UBC
p32 - Photo by Second Nature
p33 - Photo by Second Nature
p37 - Photo by Karsten Würth (@karsten.wuerth) on Unsplash
p39 - top: Photo by Emily Karakis on Unsplash
center: Licensed from Adobe Stock
bottom: Adobe Stock
p40 - Photo by Ashkan Forouzani on Unsplash, modified from
original
p41 - Photo by Second Nature
p45 - Photo by Kasturi Laxmi Mohit on Unsplash
p53p52
